The enactment of Law No:24 – National Statistic Law of the Federal Republic of Somalia officially mandated the establishment of the Somalia National Bureau of Statistics (SNBS), which repealed the Somalia Statistical Law number 35 of 1970, with a view to harmonizing it with Somalia’s Federal System of Governance as envisioned in the current Provisional Constitution.
The SNBS is governed by a Board of Directors and a Director General both of whom are endorsed by the Cabinet and appointed by the President of Federal Government of Somalia. The Board of Directors is the highest policy making body of the SNBS; and will formulate policies and set its internal regulations, priorities, standards and criteria for all censuses and surveys to be carried out in Somalia. The organisation, structure and powers of the SNBS and terms and conditions of service of its personnel is regulated by Law No:24.
SNBS is exclusively mandated to conduct the collection, collation, compilation, coordination, analysis, evaluation and dissemination of all National Statistical Information via the establishment and management of a centralised National Statistical System (NSS), as well as conducting national population census, surveys, collection and assembling of socio-economic statistics. SNBS also validates and conducts periodic dissemination of all national statistical information to preclude wastage emanating from duplication of duties and overlap.
The SNBS seeks to be a Centre of Excellence in Africa within the next 5 – 10 years, in achieving its core mandates through commitment to transparency, accountability, and leveraging advances in technology, provide evidence-based, accurate, accessible and centralised national statistical system to help in the planning, execution and attainment of national development goals.
SNBS works closely with other State agencies, both at the Federal Government and Federal Member States level in coordinating all statistical activities throughout the country. SNBS also has strong partnership and cooperation with national, regional and international bodies and institutions that are either involved in the generation or usage of national statistics.